Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesThe history of music over the past half century would have been very different without Don Kirshner, the so-called “Man with the Golden Ear,” who died yesterday from heart failure in Boca Raton, Fla. Below, you’ll find the rock impresario’s five greatest contributions to pop culture.
Tag: Rolling Stones (11-20 of 30)
Jan 18
2011
01:10 PM ET
Don Kirshner: The late music biz legend's five greatest pop culture contributions
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Jan 14
2011
09:25 AM ET
Johnny Depp talks about filming his Keith Richards documentary: 'It was intense' - EXCLUSIVE
Image Credit: Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.comEverybody knows Johnny Depp is a big fan of Keith Richards and that he based his Pirates of the Caribbean character Captain Jack Sparrow on the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist. But did you know he is also a keen admirer of non-fiction films? “I’m a psychotic for documentaries,” says the actor. “I adore them, you know.”
Given these two enthusiasms, it was perhaps only a matter of time before Mr. Depp got round to making a documentary about Mr. Richards, which is exactly what he is now in the process of doing. “It’s coming along great,” says the actor of his second directing gig, after 1997’s drama, The Brave. “Any time that he’s got a minute, any time I’ve got a minute. We’ve done one, let’s say, installment that was fairly intense. We shot for a few days, and we got 35 hours of footage. That’s me and Keith sitting and talking in a room that’s very, you know, apropos of Keith. We’re sitting on couches, having a drink, and talking.”
In addition to the interview footage, the as-yet untitled film will also contain performance material featuring Richards, members of his band, the X-Pensive Winos, and famous guests. “We had Patti Smith, which was miraculous, we had Norah Jones, and I think there’s going to be a few more,” says Depp, “I think we’ve probably got two more installments [to film] and then we’ll start cutting it together.”
The documentary will be the third movie collaboration between Depp and Richards. The pair both appeared in 2007′s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and will reunite in the forthcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. “It was perfection!” says Depp of working with Richards on the latter project, which is due out May 20.
Although the Richards documentary has no release date as yet, Depp says the film will definitely get a theatrical run of some sort. That would befit a movie which was shot by Pirates cinematographer Dariusz Wolski and which, according to Depp, looks like a “a cross between The Godfather and a painting by (famed 17th century Italian artist) Caravaggio. It’s really something to see Keith in that atmosphere.”
For more about On Stranger Tides, and all the rest of the stuff you’ll be watching, hearing, and reading in 2011, pick up the new 2011 Preview! issue of Entertainment Weekly, which hits stands today.
More on Keith Richards:
You can’t do blow if you’ve had a brain hemorrhage… And nine other ‘Life’ lessons from Keith Richards’ autobiography
Keith Richards claims Mick Jagger is ‘unbearable’ and has a ‘tiny todger’ in his autobiography
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This Week’s Cover: Johnny Depp talks exclusively about ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ and the possibility of ‘Pirates 5′
Johnny Depp says he wouldn’t change a thing about ‘The Tourist’—EXCLUSIVE
This Week’s Cover: When Angelina Met Johnny for ‘The Tourist’
People’s Choice Awards: The most awkward moments (and the winners)
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Jan 13
2011
06:09 PM ET
What is the greatest guitar riff of all-time?
Image Credit: Peter Francis/Retna Ltd.Spinner has posted an agreeably catholic-minded list of the 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs in Rock ‘n’ Roll. True, most of the usual suspects are present, from “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos to that scourge of guitar store employees, Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” However, the list also finds space for a slew of great but less obviously riff-tastic tracks, including The Smiths’ “This Charming Man,” The Meters’ “Look-ka Py Py,” and Chic’s “Le Freak.”
Oct 15
2010
01:41 PM ET
Keith Richards claims Mick Jagger is 'unbearable' and has a 'tiny todger' in his autobiography
Image Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesKeith Richards describes his Rolling Stones band mate Mick Jagger as “unbearable” and also critiques the size of his manhood in the guitarist’s autobiography Life, which is published October 26. “It was the beginning of the Eighties when Mick started to become unbearable,” Richards writes in the book, according to the London Times. The guitarist also claims that Jagger’s onetime partner Marianne Faithfull, “had no fun with his tiny todger.” Richards adds, “I know he’s got an enormous pair of b—s – but it doesn’t quite fill the gap.”
Meanwhile, a more rounded depiction of the Jagger-Richards relationship is to be found in the excerpts from Life published in the current Rolling Stone. “I love the man dearly,” Richards writes at one point. “I’m still his mate. But he makes it very difficult to be his friend.”
In an interview with Richards which accompanies the Rolling Stone excerpts, the guitarist says that Jagger has read Life and was “a bit peeved about this and that.” But he also reveals that he and Jagger talked over the summer about the Stones returning to action in 2011.
EW will be reviewing Life at a later date.
What do you think about Keith’s comments?And remember: Keep it clean!!!
(Follow The Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Sep 28
2010
06:03 PM ET
President Barack Obama says he listens to the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, and... Lil Wayne in Rolling Stone interview
Image Credit: Janet Mayer/PR Photos; Everett Collection; Jerry Livingston/PR PhotosWith the recession officially declared over, President Barack Obama can slide one thing off of his plate and focus on the other 99 he must accomplish. Obviously, he’s a busy guy. But even he finds time to sit back and soak in some tunes. In a new interview with Rolling Stone Obama was asked, for the hundredth time, what is on his iPod. He started of with his regular list of music’s icons.
“I am probably still more heavily weighted toward the music of my childhood than I am the new stuff,” he said. “There’s still a lot of Stevie Wonder, a lot of Bob Dylan, a lot of Rolling Stones, a lot of R&B, a lot of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Those are the old standards.” He did, however, manage to sprinkle in some unexpected names in addition.
“A lot of classical music. I’m not a big opera buff in terms of going to opera, but there are days where Maria Callas is exactly what I need,” he noted. “Thanks to Reggie [Love, the president's personal aide], my rap palate has greatly improved. Jay-Z used to be sort of what predominated, but now I’ve got a little Nas and a little Lil Wayne and some other stuff.”
So by my tally, this is reason No. 249 why Barack Obama is the coolest president ever. Do you think Bush had an iPod with the kind of variety Obama’s boasts? Actually, do you even think Bush knew how to operate an iPod? What do you think of Barack’s selection? Let us know.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Sep 23
2010
11:10 AM ET
Ronnie Wood on his new solo album, the sober life, and the Rolling Stones' next move: The Music Mix Q&A
Image Credit: Jack EnglishThe past few years have been turbulent for Ronnie Wood. Since 2008, the Rolling Stones guitarist has made headlines for a rehab stint, a divorce, and an arrest for alleged assault (the case ended with an official caution). Now a clean and sober Wood is hoping to put the drama behind him. On Sept. 28, indie label Eagle Records will release I Feel Like Playing, his first solo album since 2001. The bluesy set, which Wood began recording in December 2008, features contributions from famous friends like Slash, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Bobby Womack, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Eddie Vedder, and more.
Wood, 63, called the Music Mix yesterday from the NYC hotel where he’s staying to tell us all about the new album — and what the future holds for the Rolling Stones. Read on for our lightly edited Q&A.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: In the credits for this album, you give “special thanks to [Hollywood producer] Steve Bing, for starting this whole process.” How was he involved?
RONNIE WOOD: I was in Los Angeles, and he loves to hear me play. He said, “Hey, Ronnie, do you fancy taking this studio? I booked the House of Blues for you. Do you want to make some tracks?” And I said, “Wow, I wasn’t planning on it.” And he said, “Oh, I just love the way you play, man, come on, please, get out there.” I said, “Well, I’ve got a few ideas kicking around in the back of my head.” So I went up with [Stones backup singer] Bernard Fowler. Steve Bing said, “I’ve got [drummer] Jim Keltner up there, and [singer/keyboardist] Ivan Neville.” I rang up Flea, who had said, “If you make an album, I’ll be on it with you.” He was in town, and then me and Bernard went up, and we cut “Spoonful.” That was really spontaneous. It just happened in one or two takes. We took it all from there. I had these phrases in my head, like, “I don’t think so,” and I also had, “Why’d you wanna go and do a thing like this for?” I’d just left home at the time. So I started to put melody to some of these words…What we would do is sit in my hotel room and plan it in the afternoon, and go up in the studio and make ‘em in the evening. READ FULL STORY »
Jul 26
2010
10:15 AM ET
Rolling Stones rumor control: They're not retiring (but should they be?)
Image Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Rolling Stones are not retiring. The Web was abuzz this weekend with rumors that the rock legends are about to pack it in, all based on an anonymously sourced story in The Sun claiming that their next world tour will be their last. “Stones to stop Rolling,” the U.K. tabloid observed. “Time no longer on their side.”
Only one problem: Despite those witty captions, the report is bogus. “Not true,” said the Stones’ rep when asked by EW if the band is planning to retire.
Stones fans can rest easy for now. Still, this rumor got the traction it did for a reason. These guys have been performing for decades. Personally, I think they should keep rocking until it becomes a physical impossibility. As long as there are people out there who want to see them in concert, why shouldn’t they? But perhaps you’ll disagree. Are you glad the Stones aren’t retiring yet? If they don’t call it a day now, when should they?
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Jun 8
2010
03:48 PM ET
Keith Richards: Music's most influential character?
Image Credit: Greetsia Tent/WireImage.comWhile assembling EW’s 100 Greatest Characters of the Last 20 Years issue, we talked to many artists about the real and fictional figures who inspired their creations. One name that came up repeatedly was that of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards — a personage so larger-than-life, so legendary in rock history, that he could almost qualify as a mythical character himself.
Here’s Johnny Depp, talking about what he drew on to play Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films: “I was thinking of pirates as rock’n'roll stars, so Keith Richards was already in my mind. Then came Pepe Le Pew. And then Lee Marvin’s performance in Cat Ballou.” Or animator Jamie Hewlett on Gorillaz‘ nefarious cartoon bassist: “Murdoc is an amalgamation of a Scooby-Doo baddie, Keith Richards, and Baron Von Frankenstein. Just the unpleasant villain of the band.” If you want to create a memorable character for stage, screen, page, or even record, it seems you could do worse than to model your work on good old Keef. READ FULL STORY »
Jun 2
2010
12:44 PM ET
Glee tops Billboard's album chart again
Glee cheerfully leads the Billboard 200 albums chart for its second straight week. Selling 63,000 copies, Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers comes in at No. 1. The Stone Temple Pilots’ first studio album since 2001 comes in at No. 2. Their self-titled set sold 62,000 units. Selling 50,000 copies, Justin Bieber’s My World 2.0 moves up one spot to No. 3. Lady Antebellum‘s Need You Now rises two spots to No. 4 with 46,000 copies sold.
Usher’s Raymond v. Raymond sold 35,000 copies, climbing to No. 5. Lady Gaga’s The Fame also moves up with 31,000 copies sold. Now it sits at No. 6. Last week the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street re-release came it at No. 2. This week it’s No. 7 with 28,000 copies sold. The Black Keys’ Brothers drops five spots to No. 8 with just under 26,000 units sold. Carole King and James Taylor’s Live at the Troubadour rises two slots to No. 9 with about 26,000 copies sold. Nas and Damian Marley’s Distant Relatives round out the top 10, dropping five spaces to No. 10 with 25,000 units moved.
Surprised Glee held on to No. 1 another week? Did you buy the Pilots’ latest? Let us know.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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May 26
2010
03:59 PM ET
Glee dances past the Rolling Stones to No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart
Image Credit: Micahel Yarish/Fox; Mark SeligerAfter earning their first No. 1 album with The Power of Madonna last month, Glee‘s latest installment, Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with 136,000 albums sold. The re-release of the Rolling Stones’ 1972 album Exile on Main Street debuts at No. 2 with 76,000 sold.
Four other albums also debut in the top 10 this week. The Black Keys’ Brothers comes in at No. 3, selling 73,000 copies. With 62,000 units sold, last week’s chart-topper Justin Bieber drops three spots to No. 4. Nas and Damian Marley’s rap-reggae hybrid Distant Relatives sold 57,000 units and debuts at No. 5.
Band of Horses’s Infinite Arms gallops to No. 7, selling 45,000 copies, and LCD Soundsystem’s This is Happening rounds out the chart at No. 10 with 31,000 copies sold.
Lady Antebellum‘s Need You Now continues its reign in the top 10 at No. 6 with 46,000 copies sold. Usher’s Raymond v. Raymond sits at No. 8. He sold 41,000 copies. AC/DC Iron Man 2 soundtrack lands at No. 9 with 32,000 albums bought.
Surprised team Glee beat the Stones’ classic album? Did you think Nas and Damien would sell more? Let us know.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Rihanna channels Slash in ‘Rockstar 101′ video: Watch here
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